End Infant and Child Malnutrition in Guatemala

Maricruz Ramos, a 24-year old new mother, lives in Jocotán Province, Guatemala – a region with a 72.8 percent chronic malnutrition rate among children in the first grade. Thanks to WFP’s provision of Vitacereal(TM) during and after her pregnancy, though, Maricruz and her young daughter are both very healthy. In 2009 alone, 6,740 Guatemalan women and children have benefited from the reception of Vitacereal and WFP health programs.

Unfortunately, Maricruz is not alone. Female and child health is of particular concern in Guatemala, especially in the highlands. Despite rapid urbanization, the population remains largely rural – a major cause of concern because national health services only have the capability to reach about 60 percent of the country. While the national rate of undernutrition for children under 5 is already the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean (49.3 percent), the number of Guatemalan children not receiving adequate food baskets is a staggering 70 percent in the rural highlands.

Throughout Guatemala, The World Food Program is working to quell undernutrition by providing school meals, food for work activities, and mother and child healthcare. WFP is also taking local procurement a step further in Guatemala, though, via the Purchase for Progress Initiative. Through this groundbreaking program, WFP purchases food from local farmers and provides them with the tools and knowledge necessary to become active and successful players in the agricultural marketplace. WFP then uses the food purchased to feed local hungry populations.

350,000 Guatemalans are currently assisted by the important efforts of WFP, but in a country of over 13 million, there is much more we can do. With the help of generous supporters like you, WFP can continue to expand its reach across the country. Caring individuals like you allow us to expand further into the highlands, provide meals at more schools, reach out to more expectant mothers, and buy food from more local farmers. Thank you for your support!